We love you, lipstick!
Decades of questionable makeup trends have come and gone, but at the end of it all — lipstick has never failed us. Whether it be a tried-and-true shade of classic red or an understated nude hue, a single tube of lipstick holds the power to transform your entire attitude. With National Lipstick Day swiftly approaching (on July 29th), we can think of no better time to show some love to our ride-or-dies. Plucked from the purses and vanities of FASHION‘s very own editors, scroll on to shop a curated selection of our favourite lipsticks — bare, bold, and all.
Bernadette Morra, Editor-in-Chief
“I keep a lot of moisturizing neutrals in various rooms around the house because I hate the feeling of dry lips. One of my faves is Brun Yachting, a limited edition shade from the Rouge Hermes spring ’23 collection. It’s just a hint of colour — like my own lips, only shinier.”
“My favourite bold lip colour is Charlotte Tilbury’s Limitless Lucky Lips in Red Wishes. The poppy hue really pops on Zoom calls and is an instant pick-me-up IRL. It’s also long-lasting and the slim tube fits anywhere, even in the tiniest evening clutch.”
Jennifer Berry, Digital Director
“I’m not much of a neutral lipstick girly, but when I do take a breather from my go-to Fenty Gloss Bomb or Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment and I want a subtle kiss of colour, I reach for the Charlotte Tilbury cult favourite, Pillow Talk. With the matching liner, it really gives the ‘your lips but poutier’ look that TikTok says it does.”
“By a conservative estimate, I own 70 red lipsticks. I get at least 10 compliments every time I wear this luscious medium-red shade by Givenchy, with a satin finish that isn’t the least bit drying. So naturally, I continue to reach for it — it’s just math.”
Souzan Michael Galway, Acting Beauty Director
“Normally my (totally arbitrary and based solely on preference) rule about lip products is to reach for a matte finish when I’m wearing red lipstick and go for a gloss when I’m wearing a nude shade. However, when the Armani Beauty Lip Maestro Satin Lipstick shades came out this past spring, all rules went out the window. I’m obsessed with shade Weekend Getaway, a really pretty and easy-to-wear nude/beige. The formula is described as a ‘watery vibrant lip colour inspired by the skin-on-skin satin feel.’ It’s a pretty wash of colour with a satin finish—so not quite matte but definitely not glossy, either—and the comfort of a balm. Perfect for everyday wear.”
“In the last ten years, I’ve come across maybe three red lipsticks—tops—that have totally won me over. You know, 10/10 no notes, etc. This Saie Beauty pick is on the list. I love the sleek black packaging, the sturdiness of the cap (it won’t fall off in your bag and ruin your purse lining — promise), and the finish, wear, and feel of the lipstick. I often reach for the shade Classic, a true red with blue undertones. These days, it seems like every product is described as buildable, but this one truly delivers. When you dab it on, you get a bright, sheer, popsicle-like stain. If you swipe it on, you’re left with a perfect red with a matte finish. And if you swipe it on some more (see: buildable!) you get a stunning burgundy shade that’s just as comfortable as it was two or three swipes ago. And while the colour isn’t completely smudge-proof, it fades evenly, so as the hours pass, the lipstick gradually transforms back into previous stages (burgundy>red>satin) rather than leaving you with a patchy mess.”
Lindsay Cooper, Production Editor
“My lips are naturally quite a bit darker than the rest of my complexion, so typical ‘nude’ shades tend to look a little chalky on me. Instead, I try to neutralize the natural shade of my lips (and make them cohesive with the rest of my makeup) by applying my cheek product to my lips as well, using a product like Milk Makeup’s Lip + Cheek Cream Blush. It’s subtle, but it prevents my lips from overpowering the rest of the look.”
“As a reformed matte-lipstick lover, my first question when trying any new lipstick is, ‘How will this make my lips feel?’ I’m no longer impressed by claims of waterproofness or hours of wear time — I’m looking for something that will make my lips look and feel happy, healthy, and hydrated, like this Lancôme Liquid Lipstick in the shade Rose Fugace.”
Lauren Knowles, Beauty Writer
“As a committed nude lipstick wearer through and through, my purse is home to anywhere from approximately two to five nude lip products at any given moment. And although they may all look the ‘same’ to the naked eye (they’re not!), I’ve got my go-tos. My ideal nude lipstick is soft beige in tone and pairs well with a brown liner — but also glides over lips like a balm while delivering a swipe of long-wearing colour like a classic lipstick. In other words, it’s Chanel’s Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in the shade 206 Illusion.”
“On the rare occasion that I do depart from my beloved nude lipsticks, I take it all the way to the dark side and opt for a vampy shade of deep, chocolate brown. As far as lipstick is concerned, MAC Cosmetics has never done me wrong with their creamy, full-coverage formulas and high colour payoff — which is why I love this matte Antique Velvet shade. And can we just take a moment for that iconic MAC vanilla lipstick scent?”
Natalie Michie, Digital Writer
“With nude peachy-pink tones, this everyday matte lipstick by Charlotte Tilbury in the shade Mrs. Kisses adds just the right amount of colour while staying subtle enough to wear on no-makeup days.”
“This NYX Cosmetics Soft Matte Lip Cream is my go-to for a night out because its rich, dark hue makes for a great evening look and it’s super long-lasting.”
Kayleen Dicuangco, Junior Designer + Photo Editor
“Glossier’s Ultralip High Shine Lipstick in Villa is the perfect everyday lipstick — a comfortable, hydrating formula that leaves the prettiest pink sheen.”
“I love the intense colour payoff of this Maybelline Super Stay Ink Crayon Lipstick in Make It Happen. It applies so smoothly and feels so incredibly lightweight!”
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